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LFC Vancouver Newsletter
You'll Never Walk Alone | Volume #2 - 28| 30 March 2007 |
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For the last edition of the newsletter check here.
For last year's archives, check here. Comments/feedback/anything is always welcome. The email for the newsletter is Andy [at] lfcvancouver.com.
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News and Notes
PSV Match 11:45AM LIVE - At 'The G Sport'
LFC Vancouver will be meeting on Tuesday 03 April to watch the PSV v Liverpool Champions League - 1/4 Final at the The G Sport for 11:45AM.
Leaked Photo of Next Seasons Shirts? It has been reported on RAWK that is could be Liverpool's new shirt design for next season's shirts.
 Thanks to LFC Vancouver Member Keith Perkins for this news item!
LIVERPOOL SUPPORTERS FRIENDSHIP VISIT TO MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY LFC Vancouver Member Chris Busch has found an interesting post on the LiverpoolWay website aboud the special Friendship between the Liverpool and Borussia Moenchengladbach supporters and I thought you might be interested.
The Run Inn and LFC Vancouver Sponsorship
The Run Inn has an account with Adidas and can order numerous LFC licenced goods. You can find the LFC Catalog here. NOTE: 635196 - Originals track top, 635197 - Retro Jersey, 635189 - Retro Tee, as well as the current 053327 - Home short sleeve Jersey are all available now. Everything else is available july 2007. Pre-orders are stronly encouraged by Chris. You can see the samples now, contact Chris for more details. You can place an order with Chris Cole in person at LFC Vancouver matches, or by email at info [at] runinn.com.
Liverpool FC YouTube.com Video of the Week Liverpool Reserves 4-1 Blackburn Reserves
You can send comments or LFC videos to the following email address. YNWA/JFT 96,
Andy Neumann |
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Last Results
None
YNWA/JFT 96,
Andy Neumann |
UPCOMING GAMES & EVENTS
Tuesday 03 April - PSV v Liverpool (Champions League - 1/4 Final),
Saturday 07 April - Reading v Liverpool (Premiership),
Wednesday 11 April - Liverpool v PSV (Champions League - 1/4 Final),
Saturday 14 April - Man City v Liverpool (Premiership),
Wednesday 18 April - Liverpool v Middlesbrough (Premiership),
Saturday 21 April - Liverpool v Wigan (Premiership),
Saturday 28 April - Portsmouth v Liverpool (Premiership),
Saturday 05 May - Fulham v Liverpool (Premiership),
Sunday 13 April - Liverpool v Charlton (Premiership), When any of the match information above is updated, an email will be sent to notify all of you.
If you can help out with the club in any way, let us know as we're happy to have helping hands.
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Article - HOPE FOR HILLSBOROUGH: WILLIAMS VS THE UNITED KINGDOM
By Anne Williams, 23 March 07. Dear All, It has been 17 years since 96 people, including my lovely son Kevin, sadly lost their lives at the Hillsborough football disaster and still the fight for justice continues. At the inquests, the coroner imposed a 3.15 pm cut off time stating that all 96 would have been dead or brain dead by that time, so no evidence was heard after that time when Hillsborough was at its worst. Over the years I have tracked down everybody who helped Kevin that day and to my horror found out that Kevin was not dead by 3.15pm. He died at 4pm in the arms of a police lady calling for his MUM. When the pathologist explained Kevin’s injuries to the jury, he told them that Kevin was the worst of all the 96. I was horrified as I had said goodbye to Kevin and he looked lovely. He just looked asleep; there were no facial markings on him. I consulted a forensic pathologist who told me Kevin did not die from traumatic asphyxia and would not have been dead or brain dead by 3.15pm. Kevin would have been able to speak the word MUM and he would have survived up till 4pm that day when he died in the arms of the police lady. Kevin could have been saved all he needed was oxygen. Kevin did not fit into the 3.15pm cut off time so witness statements were changed. I was told lies about my son’s injuries. I then decided to take the system on. I cannot live with all the lies just to protect their own, what I cannot come to terms with is the way the families of the dead and the survivors have been treated. Myself and five other families went for a judicial review in 1993 opposing the 3.15pm cut off time for the 96, but we were not successful. My numerous submissions to the Attorney General asking him to give me a new inquest into the death of my son Kevin have been refused. Roger Cook presented Kevin’s case in a documentary and helped me uncover more of the Hillsborough cover up, including witnesses that had never been called to give evidence either at the Taylor inquiry or the inquests. These witnesses would have been able to tell the jury at the inquests that people were still alive at the 3.15pm cut off point. Tony Edwards, an ambulance man who the police said was never at Hillsborough, was able to tell me how the police cordoned him off at 3.37pm that day when he had orders to go straight to Lapping Lane as there were fatalities. Tony moved through the cordon and went straight to the goal at Lapping Lane. There were 42 ambulances behind him and they did not follow. People were alive and dying at this time. Tony was horrified, he told the fans to take their friends down to the Penn stone end of the ground, as there were ambulances to help their friends. Myself and the families of the 96 were always led to believe that they could not get ambulances on the ground due to ramps but Tony tells a different tale. The West Midland police had changed the police lady’s statement and suppressed evidence at Kevin’s inquest. When I submitted the new evidence to the Attorney General, I was again refused. The barristers who had waivered their fees many times have always told me that if Kevin gets his inquest then it will open the floodgates. The new Labour government promised the Hillsborough families a scrutiny into the events of that day. We were told we could submit any new evidence to Judge Stuart Smith and he would send it to the relevant department. Yet again, the families were stitched up and given no answers. The evidence was just twisted and turned. We had reached the end of the road legally, with nowhere to go. I decided to write a book to let people know what extremes the system would go to cover up their own mistakes and protect the people who were to blame for Hillsborough. This was my justice; I had not failed my son, though the system had. The truth of what they did to Kevin and the other 95 who died with him will always be there. Then my solicitor contacted me to tell me about the new European ruling ‘The Right to Life’ which related to Kevin’s case. This is what my solicitor, my barrister and I have been pursuing for the past 4 years. Our first move was to submit all the evidence in this country to give them another chance to give us justice; but again the system failed. On the 12th August this year I submitted all the evidence to the European court of Human Rights under Section 2 of the Human Rights Act, The Right to Life. Kevin died in the hands of the state and is entitled to a thorough investigation into how he died. As the next of kin, I have the right to a full investigation into how my son died, these rights have been repeatedly denied due to the 3.15pm cut off time. Europe is the last chance for any sort of justice, I have heard from the courts and they are now looking at Kevin’s case. I have sent all the evidence that I have uncovered over the years, evidence from some of the highest forensic pathologists suggesting that Kevin would not have died by 3.15pm and would be alive today if oxygen had been supplied. I have sent evidence that West Midland Police interfered with witness statements and suppressed vital evidence. I tracked all the Liverpool fans that carried Kevin that day, I just hope that Europe will now give us justice. We sell badges at £2.00 each plus £1.00P&P. Copies of ‘When you walk through the storm’ are £9.99 plus £2.00 P&P. I am aware there has been a shortage of this book but I can assure you it is now back in print. Unfortunately, the web site is still in the process of being created. There is so much documentation it is taking longer than anticipated. With the help of some kind friends, I will be resolving this shortly. My follow on book ‘ I never walked alone’ will not be published until I get the result from Europe. The system has failed the 96 who died, the families and the Liverpool fans. It is about time the real truth of the cover up comes out! Please support the ‘Hope for Hillsborough’.
EMAIL ADDRESSES:
Kind Regards, What do you think? Give us your comments at lfcvancouver [at] gmail.com.
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Article - Ex Red of the Week – Volume 8: Vladimir Smicer By LFC Vancouver member Ste Speed, 27 March 07. I always thought Smicer was a very frustrating player to watch. He had plenty of skill and ability but never much product at the end. He would go on some terrific runs into the area and then nine times out of ten he would fluff his shot. I remember one game against Olympiakos during our UEFA Cup campaign in 200/01 when he missed a number of sitters and then we fell behind. Fortunately we went on to win the tie on aggregate but I remember watching it on TV and getting really angry. But the way he ended his Liverpool career in Istanbul has ensured that no matter how annoying he was at times, he will always be remembered fondly by Kopites everywhere.
When Steve McManaman announced he would be joining Real Madrid on a Bosman in the summer of 1999 it was met by complete outrage. Cries of “sell out” and “you screwed us” rang out around Merseyside. However at the end of the day nobody can blame him for wanting to try playing abroad and nobody could fault him for his efforts for Liverpool (despite being a Bluenose!) At the end of the day we should have been angry at the Liverpool board rather than the player. If he wanted to leave we shouldn’t have allowed his contract to run out when at the time he was worth anywhere from ten to fifteen million pounds. With that type of money we could have bought a cracking replacement. In June 1999 Gerard Houllier brought in Patrick Berger’s mate Vladimir Smicer as Macca’s replacement. Vladi certainly had some big boots to fill and he struggled. He impressed on his debut in a 2-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday but that was about the last time he was any good for the next couple of years. Unfortunately his first two seasons were terrible as he was hit by a succession of injuries keeping him on the sidelines for long periods. The 2000/01 season was a big improvement for Smicer as he was injury free, played more games and showed flashes of what he was capable of. Unfortunately he continued to frustrate with he greediness on the ball at times but he did enough to be considered an important part of the treble winning team. The next few seasons were pretty much the same as before with moments of brilliance followed by long periods of frustration. Every now and again during this period he would do something to blow your mind and make you instantly forget about the bad moments. He had a blinder against Roma in the Champions League. This was the classic game when Houllier returned from his heart problems and we won 2-0 to reach the quarter finals. I remember him scoring a belter against Borusia Dortmund too. However the moment he will be best remembered for (after Istanbul) will be the last minute winner he scored against Chelsea at Anfield. The game was approaching injury time with the score locked at nil-nil and nobody looked like scoring. All of a sudden we broke down the left flank and a superb cross came in from Emile Heskey. Smicer caught the ball perfectly on the volley and it flew like a rocket into the back of the net. It was an incredible goal and an incredible moment. I was watching the game at my mate Pat’s house with a small group of people and we all just took off into the air nearly knocking down wall ornaments and pictures with our celebrations. Unfortunately just as he was starting to show the form he had displayed in France, Vladi was struck down with a serious knee injury in 2004 which required major surgery. He ended up missing the majority of the 2004/05 season and only returned to play in a few games as a substitute near the end of the season. During early 2005 he was told by Rafa Benitez that he didn’t figure in his future plans and would be released at the end of the season. Then in May 2005 came the night that Vladi made himself a hero and became a legend. Smicer’s final game as a Liverpool player came as a substitute during the Champions League final against AC Milan. Mid-way through the first half Harry Kewell, who himself was returning from long term injury, injured his hamstring and had to come off to be replaced by Vladi. At this moment you could hear loud audible anger from the Liverpool fans at the substitution. They were probably booing Kewell but possibly also angry at the choice of bringing on Smicer instead of Didi Hamman who most people thought should have started the match.
We all know the rest and then we get to the penalty shoot-out. Smicer was our fourth penalty taker and at this stage the score in the shoot-out was two-two but we had the advantage due to Milan missing their first two spot kicks. I couldn’t recall Smicer ever having taken a penalty before and this was genuinely the only Liverpool penalty in the shoot-out that I really felt nervous about. Memories of last second Smicer misses ran through my head as I willed him to just put it away and put the pressure back on Milan. Despite suffering with cramp Vladi’s penalty was probably the best of the night as he calmly sent Dida the wrong way before turning to the fans and kissing the Liverpool badge for the last time. Dudek saved from Shevchenko and we were the champions of Europe for the fifth time. Thanks in part to Smicer’s goal and fantastic penalty under extreme pressure. In one amazing game, Smicer went from Anfield flop to hero. It was to be his final game for Liverpool, but he left with his head held high, content that his contribution to the club would never be forgotten. In the summer of 2005 he went back to France and joined Bordeux. When we drew them in this season’s Champions League group stage it looked like Vladi would get the chance for one more game at Anfield. Unfortunately he was denied the chance to say thank you to the fans as he was injured for both legs of the tie. He was inconsistent and frustrating but his heroics in Istanbul will ensure that Valdimir Smicer is one ‘Ex Red’ who will never be forgotten.
Video Clip: What do you think? Give Ste your comments at steSpeed [at] lfcvancouver.com.
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Headlines - The Week That Was LFC YOUNGSTER IN INTERNATIONAL ACTION - Liverpool FC Liverpool winger Adam Hammill played 90 minutes for England Under-19s as they beat Turkey 1-0 on Wednesday.
Hope For Hillsborough - Kog Blog It’s hard to believe that we are now approaching the 17th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. So many years have passed and yet the families and friends of the 96 fans who lost their lives on that dark day are still seeking justice.
Listen to Hicks interview - This is Anfield New co-owner of Liverpool Tom Hicks was interviewed on BBC Radio Five Live on Thursday night, and the interview proved a very heartening one for Liverpool fans.
Liverpool's Sissoko still suffering with eye trouble - ESPN Soccernet Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko has revealed he is still worried by his eye complaint, more than a year after the original injury occured.
LFC LADIES RESERVES WIN THE LEAGUE - Liverpool FC Liverpool Ladies Reserves were crowned league champions following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the weekend.
ALONSO HAS SIGHTS ON ATHENS - Liverpool FC Xabi Alonso is confident the Reds can reach the Champions League final in Athens.
Morgan’s faith in US pair - Liverpool Echo FORMER Anfield shareholder Steve Morgan today explained why he agreed to sell his six per cent ownership of the club prior to today’s final deadline.
Liverpool FC hits back at 'meanest club' label - Liverpool Daily Post LIVERPOOL FC last night hit back at a survey which claimed the club was the meanest in the Premiership for giving money to charity.
TOMKINS: ENOUGH WITH THE TIRED COMPARISONS - Liverpool FC It concerns me, because ultimately Houllier, for all the good work at the start of his tenure and the trophies in the middle of his reign, failed in the task of landing the silverware that mattered most. Therefore, if people draw ill-conceived conclusions, a sense of repeating the past is easy to evoke.
Liverpool get groundshare request - BBC Liverpool's new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been asked by city council leaders to look again at sharing their new stadium with Everton.
Remaining LFC shareholders are sought - Liverpool Daily Post THE search will start today for the Liverpool FC shareholders who have clung on to their shares in the club.
Recreativo in bid to secure Sinama deal - Liverpool Daily Post FLORENT SINAMA-PONGOLLE is poised to leave Liverpool after it emerged Recreativo de Huelva are ready to discuss terms over a permanent transfer.
YNWA/JFT 96, If you ever find an LFC article that you think others might find interesting, let me know about it by sending me a note at Andy [at] lfcvancouver.com. |
Contest Standings - Guess the Starting XI
Standings as of 30 March 07.
To enter the members contest see the rules below.
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Contest - Guess the Starting XI
RULES:
Scoring System:
YNWA/JFT 96, Andy Neumann
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Liverpool FC Banner of the WeekLiverpool FC fans are famous around the globe for their fierce wit and loyalty to the club. These traits are commonly showcased in the banners that appear at every Liverpool FC match; home or away. Each week the newsletter will showcase one of those banners.
 Thanks to LFC Vancouver Member Lance Litwin for this week's banner!
Andy Neumann | ||
LFC Vancouver
LFC Vancouver, | ||
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Smicer first shot to prominence in 1996, helping Slavia Prague reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup. That same year he starred for the Czech Republic national side as they had a fantastic European Championships in England. They started the tournament as underdogs but surprised everyone by reaching the final before losing to Germany with a golden goal. After that tournament Smicer signed for RC Lens in France where he scored 16 goals in 91 appearances. Vladi built himself a decent reputation in France with some terrific performances and leadership in midfield. In the 1997/98 season he was a prominent part of the RC Lens team that won it’s first ever French First Division title. 
At this stage nobody could have dreamed just how important Vladi would be to the outcome of the game. About ten minutes into the second half Steven Gerrard scored a terrific header to make the score 3-1 to Milan. At this stage it appeared to be nothing more than a consolation goal but just two minutes later came Vladi’s big moment. Hamman passed it to Smicer well outside the area and he decided to shoot. I remember thinking “oh no” and then a second later screaming “OH YES” as the ball crept past Dida into the corner of the net. Vladi had just repaid us for all the anger he’d caused us over the years with one kick of the ball. The scene as he runs away with his arms in the air is one of the defining moments of a night in which there were many. To paraphrase Phil Thompson in the documentary ‘One Night in May’, “that moment when he runs away with his arms in the air, that was belief, belief that we could do it”. 